South Africa’s greenest Ambassador, Miss Earth, understands the importance of clean, safe and reliable water for every community. 1 in 9 people around the world, totaling 780 million people, lack access to an improved water source. These frightening stats quoted by Miss Earth 2013, Ms Ashanti Mbanga, at the installation and handover of a 2500L JoJo rainwater harvesting … [Read more...]
Schools cut down on waste while helping the needy
The Polystyrene Council is driving a dynamic marketing and awareness campaign of its various charity projects to schools across Gauteng. According to PSPC Director, Adri Spangenberg, twenty new schools have committed themselves during the month of March alone to collecting breadtags and other products made from high impact polystyrene, such as polystyrene take-away trays and … [Read more...]
Miss Earth SA stationery drive uplifts 9000 learners
In addition to the over 7,000 learners whose lives were changed by the initial stationery distribution, which took place on 12, 13 and 14 February, Miss Earth South Africa this week joined forces with Caxton South Newspaper Marketing Department to touch the lives of an additional 2,000 learners in Thokoza and Johannesburg South. Thanks to the donations of corporate sponsors … [Read more...]
Changing behaviour demands re-minding a generation
In order to change the behaviour patterns of our communities we need to change the mind-set of a generation. These were the words by Cheri Scholtz, CEO of PETCO, who has worked hard this year to help reduce waste in schools, increase recycling awareness, to create cleaner spaces for the learners and communities and impart the culture of caring for the environment. One of … [Read more...]
11 yr old to Kenya police: rape is a crime
Kaia* was eleven years old when she was assaulted and raped on the way to school. A teacher took her to the hospital, but the police demanded bribes for even taking down a statement. So Kaia did something incredibly brave. She sued the police for failing to protect her. What's even more incredible is what happened next. In Kenya where Kaia lives, a woman or girl is raped … [Read more...]
Pulling together to brighten up lives
Corporate social investment is one of the most effective ways to promote change and growth in our society. Spur Foundation, supported by Spur Group, collaborates with a variety of charities to drive home their core value of generosity and make a difference in the lives of less fortunate individuals and communities. One of the charities they support is Sisanda … [Read more...]
Conservation scores a goal through soccer
Conservation is scoring through a soccer-based education programme for grade five learners whose neighbours are the big five nature and game reserves in the Eastern Cape. Girls and boys from 13 schools in and around Grahamstown are being taught to “stalk like a leopard, change direction quickly like a rhino or run like a cheetah,” says conservationist and educationist Lesley … [Read more...]
Art auction for needy children & reforestation
A truly South African experience of the senses awaits discerning art-lovers and buyers on the 5th of September 2013. The Vineyard Hotel & Spa’s Fine Art Auction themed: “Southern Africa – An Indigenous Perspective – Old and Modern Masters” presents an opportunity to enjoy the very best that our country's artists can offer, and in doing so, contribute towards the social … [Read more...]
Hungry children cannot build a nation
In Africa, and South Africa, more than 50% of families have probably found themselves unable to provide enough food for their families, at some time during the last year. Our children are going hungry. “One in three people in sub-Saharan Africa suffers from chronic hunger,” says Evelyn Tagbo in an Oxford University study. Food security is under threat in many parts of the … [Read more...]
New competition to teach kids about turning waste to wealth
In 2012 WESSA Eco-Schools celebrated a ‘Diamond Decade’ of inspiring sustainable development in schools with a launch of an exciting new competition offering prizes to the total value of over R120 000. The competition, called the WESSA Eco-Schools Waste to Wealth Competition is sponsored by Waste to Wealth, an NPO dedicated to educating communities about the thinking and action … [Read more...]
City places renewed focus on youth development
The City of Cape Town will focus on opening up new opportunities for young people to help overcome substance abuse, gangsterism and unemployment. In keeping with this administration’s commitment to building a Caring and Safe City, the City of Cape Town Social Development and Early Childhood Development Directorate have begun implementing a number of projects specifically … [Read more...]
School learners clean the streets of Johannesburg
Earlier this week, SchoolMedia invited hundreds of school children from the Johannesburg CBD to join the organisation on a ‘Clean City Campaign.’ 22-year old Khethi Ngwenya, the MD of SchoolMedia, has launched the initiative to encourage a cleaner neighbourhood by educating the community about waste sorting, recycling and the benefits of living in a clean environment. Monday … [Read more...]
Corporate gardens feed hungry children
If it is possible to transform a dead piece of grey gravel along a corporate building into a row of vegetable gardens abundantly delivering organic nourishment to hungry children attending a soup kitchen, then one can surely grow food almost anywhere? This was what happened alongside the Nedbank Contact Centre in Mount Edgecomb, Durban. The man in charge of this hopeful … [Read more...]
